Peas, sugarsnaps and mange-tout can be sown to mid-June. There is still time to sow a final crop of broad beans too.

Sprouting broccoli for an early spring crop.

Swedes – until mid-June

Chard

Sweet corn - until mid-June – covering with a cloche or fleece can aid germination. Best planted in a block about 12 to 15 inch apart each way.

Planting out and transplanting

Plant out tender crops that have been sown in pots under cover e.g. beans, courgettes, squash, sweet corn.

Plant out/transplant brassicas – early sowings in pots and cells can be transplanted to their growing positions when they are large enough. Firm the soil down where they are to be planted, walking over a plank on the soil is one way to do this.

Celeriac and sweet corn can be planted out as well but still give them some fleece protection. They need lots of water.

Cardoons and artichokes need a lot of space and will be in situ for three or four years so give them plenty of compost and manure in the soil before planting.

Leeks can go from the seed bed when they are about the size of a pencil or, if you delay a little bit, they can be grown on the site of your harvested early potatoes.

Thinning

Be ruthless - thin earlier sowings to the recommended intervals to speed growth. You can often eat these thinnings.

Pests

They’ll be on the march. Watch for them. Prevent them if you can with netting and other barrier methods and, if you are infested, treat as appropriate, quickly and without mercy. They are eating your food! Wahhahahhhahaaaaaaa….!

Watering and Weeding

Give your growing crops the best chance by keeping weeds at bay and watering as necessary. Use mulches if you haven’t already. Remember water is a finite resource, so be sensible.